IndexPrima

Looking to extend your runway? Here are 7 global funding opportunities, grants, and international accelerators actively accepting applications from African startup founders right now.

Don't miss out on non-dilutive capital and investment pipelines—check out the list and apply: 👇
https://indexprima.com/7-global-funding-opportunities-african-founders-should-apply-to-right-now/

HerIntelligence's Annual Summit is putting the spotlight on empowering Nigerian women to actively build, deploy, and architect AI technologies—not just use existing tools.

A crucial shift for digital inclusion, local innovation, and making sure African women help shape the future of AI.

Full details: 👇
https://indexprima.com/herintelligences-annual-summit-wants-nigerian-women-building-ai-not-just-using-it/

African voice tech pioneer Intron has unveiled Sahara v2.5, enabling voice bots to handle real-time code-switching—understanding users as they seamlessly mix local languages like Hausa, Swahili, and Zulu with English mid-sentence.

A game-changer for digital inclusion, customer care, and voice services across the continent 🇳🇬🗣️
Full story: 👇
https://indexprima.com/introns-sahara-v2-5-teaches-voice-ai-to-follow-africans-as-they-switch-languages-mid-sentence/

Startup Abuja and fintech firm Transave have teamed up to launch the Startup Abuja Scholarship Program, delivering up to ₦50 million in total funding.

Open to students across all Nigerian tertiary institutions, the package goes beyond full tuition coverage—providing 12 selected scholars with:
* 💵 6 months of living stipends
* 💼 Guaranteed paid remote internships
* 💡 Entrepreneurship & financial literacy training

Full details & application link: 👇
https://indexprima.com/startup-abuja-and-transave-launch-%e2%82%a650-million-scholarship-for-nigerian-students-apply-by-august-31/

An FCMB administrator was remanded after allegedly selling his admin access credentials, enabling bad actors to breach the bank’s server and siphon $25,000.

The twist? Out of the whole $25k payout, he only walked away with $2,000 for handing over the keys.

Full story: 👇
https://indexprima.com/an-fcmb-insider-allegedly-sold-bank-access-for-25000-he-kept-just-2000-of-it/

Agritech leader ThriveAgric has raised ₦5.3 billion (~$3.94M) in an oversubscribed Series 1 commercial paper issuance—the first tranche under its SEC-approved ₦50B program.

The funds will deepen working capital, boost commodity aggregation, and strengthen outgrower networks across Nigeria.
Full story: 👇
https://indexprima.com/thriveagric-secures-3-94-million-in-first-commercial-paper-raise-to-expand-nigerian-operations/

Starting October 1, Meta will begin charging banks, fintechs, and enterprises for service and utility messages sent on the WhatsApp Business API.

With free 24-hour support windows ending, high-volume senders are facing steep new operating costs for automated alerts, receipts, and customer service.
Full breakdown: 👇
https://indexprima.com/whatsapp-will-start-charging-nigerian-banks-and-fintechs-for-customer-messages-from-october-1/

A significant blow to Africa's Web3 ecosystem

Swiss blockchain infrastructure firm Lisk is shutting down its native blockchain on October 31, 2026, as it pivots to corporate financial software.

The shutdown ends a major funding pipeline and support network for early-stage African Web3 startups at a time when venture capital across the sector is already scarce.
Full analysis: 👇
https://indexprima.com/lisk-shuts-down-its-blockchain-cutting-off-a-key-funder-of-african-web3-startups/

Moniepoint is winding down MonieWorld—its UK diaspora remittance arm—14 months after launch to double down on scaling its core financial infrastructure and business banking across Nigeria and Kenya.

Even in competitive global corridors, knowing when to redirect capital back to high-growth home markets is key.
Full story: 👇
https://indexprima.com/moniepoint-shuts-down-its-uk-remittance-business-monieworld-after-fierce-competition/

A major legal precedent for data privacy in Nigeria’s banking sector!

The FCT High Court has ordered Stanbic IBTC Bank to pay ₦15 million in damages to former customers for unlawfully retaining and processing their personal data after their account relationships were terminated.
A strong reminder that data retention limits under the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA) are actively being enforced!

Full analysis: 👇
https://indexprima.com/nigerian-court-orders-stanbic-ibtc-to-pay-%e2%82%a615-million-in-a-landmark-data-privacy-ruling/